David Mark Leadership Refutes Forgery Claims Amid Escalating ADC National Power Struggle

The David Mark-led ADC committee refutes forgery claims and outlines the 13 steps of its takeover, while rival Nafiu Gombe proposes an under-55 age limit for 2027.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 4:28 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from LEADERSHIP.

A Chronological Defense of the Caretaker Committee

The embattled leadership of the African Democratic Congress, under the direction of former Senate President David Mark, has provided a detailed account of the administrative transitions within the party. According to a document signed by National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the takeover was the result of a deliberate, multi-stage process involving the voluntary resignation of previous executives. The David Mark group asserts that these steps were taken to facilitate a new coalition, with all proceedings reportedly conducted in the presence of various party stakeholders and monitored by electoral observers.

Refutation of Signature Forgery Allegations

Central to the current crisis are claims by Nafiu Bala Gombe that his signature was forged on a resignation letter dated May 17, 2025. The David Mark-led committee has formally refuted these allegations, citing a comparative review of multiple party documents, including attendance sheets from National Executive Council meetings. The committee maintains that the signatures show a consistent pattern and align with Gombe’s authentic writing style. Furthermore, the party highlighted specific idiosyncratic spelling errors in the contested letter that appear in Gombe’s other public communications as evidence of the document's authenticity.

The Role of INEC and Judicial Intervention

The leadership dispute has been further complicated by the actions of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the judiciary. The caretaker committee disclosed that INEC was formally notified of Gombe’s resignation as Deputy National Chairman in July 2025, with the commission acknowledging receipt of the notice. However, the committee argued that INEC erred in later de-recognizing the David Mark leadership, claiming that a court ruling regarding the "status quo" of the party was misinterpreted to favor Gombe’s interests. A formal court hearing regarding the leadership suit is scheduled for April 14, 2026.